Seasonal businesses suffer because of weather

Rain slows down businesses in southeastern Wisconsin

Living in southeastern Wisconsin has meant warming up to spring's chill, but below normal temperatures and a good dose of rain has slowed the seasonal change and slowed business for those counting on sunshine.

"We're kind of under the crunch to get it done," said Joe Kresl, of Hawks Nursery.

By Saturday, the dust has to settle on a new patio for a golf outing at North Hill Country Club in Menomonee Falls.

"We started April 1. We should have had it done in six weeks, but in the second week of April, we had two solid weeks of rain," Kresl said.

Workers at Hawks Nursery put on the finishing touches that Mother Nature delayed.

"It continued raining, and it's been raining on and off all spring. It's been terrible and very hard to get projects in the ground," Kresl said.

Kresl said hardscapes can finally be finished, and flowers can finally be planted.

In Lake Geneva on Thursday, a boat emerged from hibernation. Water sports have been under wraps.

"I've worn jeans to work more times than I did ever last year," said Maddie Lenz, who works at Gage Marine.

Workers at Gage Marine said ice pushed back getting piers in water.

"The ice went out about a month later, so all of our crews working on the docks, the piers and the marina have really been working overtime, trying to get the boats and piers ready for all of the customers," said Bill Gage, of Gage Marine.

It's been a washout on water and land where early seasonal business has been hurt.

"People seeing business off, just like it was mentioned, 10, 20, 30 percent in some cases," Gage said.

Business owners said the weather comes with the territory with life in Wisconsin.

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